The Connor Palace was packed full of eager Clevelanders on March 3, 2020, as everyone awaited the big announcement of the KeyBank Broadway Series for 2020-2021, themed “Escape. Dream. Discover.”
Featuring live-called stage manager cues, a WWF-style announcer, a giant screen with audience Tweets and lots of promo material, and some special guests, the evening was full of excitement and surprises. It felt as if the whole city was in one place cheering on the arts.
The season offers a heartfelt drama, a rags to riches story, a music icon, some misplaced activists, a group of Motown legends, a Parisian spectacle, and a musical take on a Greek idea.
Nov 3 – 22, 2020 at the Connor Palace – The season opens with TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, lead by veteran actor Richard Thomas (who plays Atticus Finch). Harper Lees’ Pulitzer Prize-winning book has been adapted by Aaron Sorkin. “…the greatest novel of all time” (Chicago Tribune) — has quickly become “one of the greatest plays in history” (NPR).
Jan 5-24, 2021 at the Connor Palace – PRETTY WOMAN is a fairy tale for modern times, based on the movie made famous by Julia Roberts and Richard Gere. The story: Rich, handsome man hires hooker to accompany him around town, woman enjoys lavish experiences, man falls for her, she gets feelings hurt and runs away, man wins her back, and love wins.
Feb 2-21, 2021 at the Connor Palace – THE CHER SHOW is an homage to the life and story of global superstar, Cher. Spanning six decades, Cher’s career has moved her from kid, to pop star, to musical icon. Featuring over 600 costumes, THE CHER SHOW is a spectacle that features three powerhouse women in one amazing journey.
Mar 9 – 28, 2021 at the Connor Palace – THE PROM features four failed Broadway actors as they find their new path in life: activism! They travel to Indiana to support Emma, a lesbian who wants to bring her girlfriend to Prom, after the PTA cancels the entire event. Their misguided efforts don’t go as planned, but they all just might still come out as better humans.
Apr 6 – 25, 2021 at the Connor Palace – AIN’T TOO PROUD, the Life and Times of the Temptations showcases the rise of the quintet from Detroit beginnings to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Full of classic hits such as “My Girl,” “Just My Imagination,” “Get Ready,” and “Papa Was a Rolling Stone,” the production boasts cool dance moves, and smooth harmonies. It tells the “story of brotherhood, family, loyalty, and betrayal, as the group’s personal and political conflicts threatened to tear them apart during a decade of civil unrest in America.”
May 5 – June 6, 2021 at the KeyBank State Theatre – MOULIN ROUGE! THE MUSICAL is a remixed, reimagined spectacle for the stage. Based on Baz Luhrmann’s film, get ready to walk into “a world where Bohemians and aristocrats rub elbows and revel in electrifying enchantment.”
July 6 – 25, 2021 at the Connor Palace – HADESTOWN follows a mythical Greek tale that intertwines hell and love. Winner of eight 2019 Tony Awards® including Best Musical and the 2020 Grammy® Award for Best Musical Theater Album, join Orpheus as he ventures into the tempting underworld to rescue his fiancée Eurydice.
But wait! There’s more! The Huntington Bank series also brings back three crowd favorites.
– DR. SEUSS’ HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS! THE MUSICAL – December 8-13, 2020
– COME FROM AWAY – August 10-15, 2021
– DEAR EVAN HANSEN – September 14-19, 2021
To see video captured from the presentations, visit www.facebook.com/KateKlotzbachPerformingArts.
For all the information you need about the new KeyBank Broadway Series, season tickets, subscription benefits and more, visit www.playhousesquare.org.
Kate Klotzbach 